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The University Writing Seminar

The University Writing Seminar (UWS) is a thematically-based writing course required of all first-year students, taught by specially trained writing instructors from across the disciplines.  Each UWS section explores a single topic, chosen by the instructor; similar to the University Prize Instructorship, course design usually emerges from instructors’ dissertation work, allowing instructors to teach content they knows intimately from their areas of expertise.

By the end of the semester, students are able to compose expository essays that reflect their own points of view and that demonstrate thoughtful engagement with complex readings of some length.  Students exiting the UWS consistently report a sense of growth and development as writers in their evaluations.  Instructors greatly benefit as well—many experience an improvement in their own writing as a result of the more conscientious approach to writing that their teaching demands.  Additionally, instructors enhance their ability to teach writing in the classroom, a highly valued skill in today’s competitive academic job market, and emerge with a sophisticated teaching portfolio and practical experience that lays a strong foundation for future professional success.

Features of the UWS

• emphasis on the development of practical thinking and writing skills, an approach to writing and revision as process, close and frequent student-teacher exchange
• course enrollment capped at eighteen
• students write three essays (25-30 pages total finished work) of increasing complexity: a close reading essay, a lens essay, and a research-based essay
• course readings include books, articles, and excerpts of longer works, usually 400-500 pages
• each assignment sequence consists of pre-draft assignments, rough draft, in-class peer review, revision
• areas of instruction include strategies and techniques of college-level argument, critical reading, essay structure, revising, research skills, style and grammar, and proper documentation
• First-Year Library Instruction Program (FLIP) helps orient students to library resources and research techniques
• frequent pedagogy workshops, drop-in sessions, and guidance from the Director and Assistant Director

Instructor responsibilities

• one-hour class meetings twice a week 
• three sets of one-on-one student conferences during the semester 
• time commitment: seven hours a week on average
• required monthly UWS instructor meetings
• periodic grading groups
• peer observation and review
• portfolio grade conference at the end of the semester
• Comp Camp in late May, an intense three-day training seminar 
• follow-up training session in late August